Onset of winter in Denmark
Customers and employees are stuck at Ikea due to a snow storm – and turn it into an overnight party
Stay overnight at Ikea: This unique experience had several customers and employees because of a snow storm in Aalborg, Denmark (symbol picture)
© Federico Gambarini / DPA
A snow storm swept across northern Denmark on Wednesday. An Ikea branch in Aalborg was so snowed in that customers and employees were stuck there and had to stay the night. But it wasn’t that bad after all.
It is probably the dream of many: Spend the night at Ikea in the showrooms, eat hot dogs and Köttbullar. Unfortunately it is not allowed. Unless you’re stuck in the branch because of a snow storm.
This happened to a group of employees and customers in Aalborg, Denmark. On Wednesday it had snowed so hard in northern Denmark that traffic was severely affected. Local public transport was stopped and the police warned against driving. Roads were slippery and snowed in. This also applied to the streets around the local Ikea branch. Because it was too risky to take to the streets, six customers and around 20 to 25 employees were offered the opportunity to spend the night in the furniture store.
TV evening and warm beds at Ikea
But they made the best of the situation, like the boss of the branch, Peter Elmose, the television station TV2 said: “We have just seen the TV Advent calendar and had dinner. Now let’s watch a little football and make ourselves comfortable.”
Elmose did not expect that he and others would have to spend the night in the branch. “As early as 4pm, when we usually change employees, we could tell that there were problems. It developed quickly and in the evening we had to realize that it was not safe to leave the place,” he said.
Those trapped were allowed to choose a bed in the exhibition room for the night. “The evening and the night were good. Better than sleeping in his car. It was nice and warm,” Michelle Barrett told the public broadcaster DR. “Everyone was just so cute and we actually just laughed at the situation because we probably won’t see it again.”
No advertising campaign, emphasizes the branch manager
Nobody had to go to bed hungry. There weren’t any hot dogs or Köttbullar, but roast pork, warm cinnamon rolls, hot cocoa and risalamande, a Danish milk rice dish that is traditionally eaten at Christmas. And as if that weren’t enough: Elmose also sang a good night serenade to the stranded, like a Video indicates. In the morning there was fresh coffee and freshly baked rolls for everyone.
But the whole thing was by no means an advertising campaign, explains the branch manager. “It served the safety of employees and customers.” On Thursday morning everyone could go home again. And of course the bed linen of the exhibits used will be changed, stressed Elmose.
Around 300 people who were also stuck because of the snow storm had less luck. They had to stay at Aalborg Airport – without any warm Ikea beds.
Further source: “BT”